2016 Blue Ribbon Campaign Sponsors

Awareness is key

The month of April has been designated National Child Abuse Prevention Month by presidential proclamation since 1983. Amigos’ There’s NO Excuse For Child Abuse® has become the overarching theme of Blue Ribbon abuse prevention initiatives. Since 2004 Amigos has worked in collaboration with both public and private sectors to spread the message and create awareness about child abuse and neglect. Partners include: Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa and other government officials and key stakeholders. Each April, Amigos hosts a series of events to raise awareness and highlight the importance of keeping kids safe. These efforts include a talent show/rally event which Amigos coordinates with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and where thousands of students participate. In addition, Amigos distributes more than 300,000 informational abuse prevention pamphlets to students and their parents in Miami-Dade’s public schools and community events. These informational pieces are available in English, Spanish and Creole.

Amigos For Kids – There’s NO Excuse For Child Abuse Blue Ribbon contest was instituted in 2009 and recognizes the art and messages submitted by Miami Dade County Public Schools’ Students. The 2016 contest is sponsored by Voya Financial.

The national Blue Ribbon initiative began in 1989 when Bonnie W. Finney, a grandmother from Virginia, tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van. When asked about it, she told people the tragic story of the abuse of her grandchildren and the resulting death of her grandson Michael “Bubba” Dickinson. She chose blue to remind herself of the bruised bodies of her grandchildren. Since then, millions of people across the country have participated in Blue Ribbon campaigns by wearing blue ribbons and getting involved in community activities to remind people they too can help prevent child abuse in their communities.

Recent national statistics confirm that almost one million children don’t know what it’s like to be safe and sound in their homes. Tragically, three children —of all races, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds— die each day as a result of abuse or neglect.

“We need to raise the public’s awareness of the devastating effects of child abuse. To empower and encourage people to become involved and support families and parents so that we can help prevent all forms of child abuse and neglect from reaching our nation’s children,” said Jorge A. Plasencia, co-founder and chairman of Amigos For Kids. “We’re committed to raising awareness of the devastating effects of child abuse.”

Did You Know?

For 2014, a nationally estimated 1,580 children died of abuse and neglect at a rate of 2.13 per 100,000 children in the national population.

Over 3.6 million cases of abuse or neglect were reported according to most recent annual data.

Over 4 children die every day as a result of abuse or neglect.

70.7% or more were under the age of 3.

Four-fifths of fatalities involved at least one parent.

Forms of maltreatment:

75% suffered neglect.

17% suffered physical abuse.

8.3% suffered sexual abuse.

6% suffered physical maltreatment.

2.2% suffered medical neglect.

Most children were abused by a parent or caregiver.

40.7% = Mother

20.5% = Father

21.3 % = Mother/Father

12.6 % = other relative

References: US Department of Health & Human Services Administration of Children and Families. Administration of Children, Youth and Families; Children’s Bureau.

Victims in their first year of life had the highest rate of victimization at 24.4 per 1,000 children of the same age in the national population. The rate of victimization for all victims increased from 9.2 per 1,000 in 2010 to 9.4 per 1,000 in 2014. However, the data reveals that the increase is largely driven by victims under a year old.

The majority of victims were comprised of three races or ethnicities—White (44.0%), Hispanic (21.8%), and African-American (21.0%).

Children died from abuse or neglect:

The national rate of child fatalities was 2.20 deaths per 100,000 children.

Nearly three-quarters (70.3%) of all child fatalities were younger than 3 years old.

Four-fifths (80.0%) of child fatalities were caused by one or both parents.

References: US Department of Health & Human Services Administration of Children and Families. Administration of Children, Youth and Families; Children’s Bureau.

Introduction

Despite the efforts of the child protection system, child fatalities remain a serious problem. Although the untimely deaths of children due to illness and accidents have been closely monitored, deaths that result from physical assault or severe neglect can be more difficult to track. Intervention strategies targeted at resolving this problem face complex challenges.

Social workers, day care center workers or other professional child care, foster care, residential or institutional workers

Law enforcement officers or judges

Mandatory Reporting of Suspecting Abuse

FS39.201 Mandatory reports of child abuse, abandonment, neglect; mandatory reports of death; central abuse hotline. (1)(a) Any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare, as defined in this chapter, shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department.

Corporal discipline of a child by a parent, legal custodian or caregiver for disciplinary purposes does not in itself constitute abuse when it does not result in harm to the child.

A parent or legal custodian who, by reason of legitimate practice of religious beliefs, doesn’t provide specified medical treatment for a child may not be considered abusive or neglectful for that reason alone, but such exception does not:

Eliminate the requirement that such a case be reported to the department

Prevent the department from investigating such a case

Preclude a court from ordering, when the health of the child requires it, the provision of medical services by a physician or treatment by a duly accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized church or religious organization. The foregoing circumstances of deprivation or environment shall not be considered neglect if caused primarily by financial inability unless actual services for relief have been offered to and rejected by such person

Failure To Report

A person who is required by law to report known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and who knowingly and willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly and willfully prevents another person from doing so is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided by law. A judge subject to discipline as provided by the Florida Constitution shall not be subject to criminal prosecution when the information was received in the course of official duties.

Prevention

We all have a role to play in building strong communities in which families and children are valued and supported.

It is in these kinds of communities that children are safest from abuse and neglect. Here are some things you can do as a concerned individual.

Five Rs

Prevent Child Abuse America has developed the following Five Rs, which can help individuals better understand the role they can play in child abuse prevention.

1. Raise The Issue

Call or write your candidates and elected officials to educate them about issues in your community and the need for child abuse prevention, intervention and treatment programs.

Contact your local school district and faith community to encourage them to sponsor classes and support programs for new parents.

2. Reach out to kids and parents in your community

Anything you do to support kids and parents in your family and extended community help to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.

Be a good neighbor. Offer to baby-sit. Donate your children’s used clothing, furniture and toys for use by another family. Be kind and supportive, particularly to new parents and children.

3. Remember the risk factors

Child abuse and neglect occur in all segments of our society, but the risk factors are greater in families where parents:

Abuse alcohol or drugs

Are isolated from their families or communities

Have difficulty controlling their anger or stress

Appear uninterested in the care, nourishment or safety of their children

Seem to be having serious economic, housing or personal problems

4. Recognize the warning signs

Some of the warning signs that a child might be abused or neglected include:

Nervousness around adults

Aggression toward adults or other children

Inability to stay awake or to concentrate for extended periods

Sudden, dramatic changes in personality or activities

Acting out sexually or showing interest in sex that is not appropriate for his or her age

Family support centers offer an array of preventive support services, including many of those listed above, as well as referral to other community services (See Family Support America’s Website.)

Parent support groups offer a place for parents to meet and discuss parenting issues, exchange ideas, and offer support. To access and view schedules of our programs and services please go to events in our Web site.

Take part in community prevention efforts

Help local organizations distribute educational materials on parenting and child abuse prevention

Encourage local schools or other community organizations to provide parenting education

Offer to speak to the media and other groups about your own experiences as a parent. Parents Anonymous® Inc. has a resource guide, Media Guide for Parent Leaders, that may be helpful. (See Parents Anonymous® Inc.’s Web site.)

Organize a fundraiser or a food drive to support an organization that helps families in your community

Offer to teach a seminar on strengthening marriages. Talk with others at community events (neighborhood fairs, back-to-school nights, holiday festivals) about why it is important to have a healthy marriage and how they can strengthen marriages in their communities

Provide friendship and guidance to parents and children who need your help by volunteering for programs such as Befriend-a-Child or Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Contact your elected officials and ask them to support funding for prevention efforts and policies that support children and families

Make a donation to an organization that works to prevent child abuse. You can donate money, or give clothing, food, or toys to a social service agency that helps families in your community

Start or join a community coalition to prevent child abuse and neglect

Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms

Year Published: 2007

Introduction

The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. The presence of a single sign doesn’t prove child abuse is occurring in a family; however, when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination, you should take a closer look at the situation and consider the possibility of child abuse.

If you do suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect the child and get help for the family. Contact your local child protective services agency or police department.

Recognizing Child Abuse

The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect.

The Child:

Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance

Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention

Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes

Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen

Lacks adult supervision

Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn

Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

The Parent:

Shows little concern for the child

Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home

Asks teachers or other caretakers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves

Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome

Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve

Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

The Parent and Child:

Rarely touch or look at each other

Consider their relationship entirely negative

State that they do not like each other

Types of Abuse

The following are some signs often associated with the four particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. It’s important to note, however, these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.

Signs of Physical Abuse

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:

Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes

Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school

Seems frightened of the parent or caregiver and protests or cries when it is time to go home

Shrinks at the approach of adults

Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:

Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury

Describes the child as “evil,” or in some other very negative way

Uses harsh physical discipline with the child

Has a history of abuse as a child

Signs of Neglect

Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:

Is frequently absent from school

Begs or steals food or money.

Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations or glasses

Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor

Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather

Abuses alcohol or other drugs

States that there is no one at home to provide care

Has unattended physical or medical problems

Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:

Appears to be indifferent to the child

Seems apathetic or depressed

Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner

Is abusing alcohol or other drugs

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:

Has difficulty walking or sitting due to pain, bleeding, redness or swelling in anal or genital area.

Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities

Glossary

More useful information.

Abandoned means a situation in which the parent or legal custodian of a child, or in the absence of a parent or legal custodian, the caregiver responsible for the child’s welfare, while being able, makes no provision for the child’s support and makes no effort to communicate with the child, which situation is sufficient to evince a willful rejection of parental obligations. If the efforts of such parent or legal custodian, or caregiver primarily responsible for the child’s welfare, to support and communicate with the child are, in the opinion of the court, only marginal efforts that do not evince a settled purpose to assume all parental duties, the court may declare the child to be abandoned.

Abuse means any willful act or threatened act that results in any physical, mental, or sexual injury or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. Abuse of a child includes acts or omissions.

Child who is found to be dependent means a child who is found by the court:

To have been abandoned, abused or neglected by the child’s parent, parents or legal custodians

To have been surrendered to the Department or voluntarily placed with a licensed child-placing agency for the purpose of adoption

To have been voluntarily placed with a licensed child-caring agency, a licensed child-placing agency, an adult relative, the Department, after which placement, a case plan has expired and the parent or parents, legal custodians or caregivers have failed to substantially comply with the requirements of the plan

To have no parent or legal custodian capable of providing supervision and care

To be at substantial risk of imminent abuse, abandonment, or neglect by the parent(s) or legal custodians

Harm to a child’s health or welfare can occur when any person:

Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the child physical, mental or emotional injury. In determining whether harm has occurred, the following factors must be considered in evaluating any physical, mental or emotional injury to the child: the age of the child, any prior history of injuries to the child, the location of the injury on the body of the child, the multiplicity of the injury and the type of trauma inflicted

Commits, or allows to be committed, sexual battery or lewd or lascivious acts

Allows, encourages, or forces the sexual exploitation of a child

Exploits a child, or allows a child to be exploited

Abandons the child

Neglects the child

Exposes a child to a controlled substance or alcohol

Uses mechanical devices, unreasonable restraints or extended periods of isolation to control a child

Engages in violent behavior that demonstrates a wanton disregard for the presence of a child and could reasonably result in serious injury to the child

Negligently fails to protect a child in his or her care from inflicted physical, mental or sexual injury caused by the acts of another

Has allowed a child’s sibling to die as a result of abuse, abandonment, or neglect

Makes the child unavailable for the purpose of impeding or avoiding a protective investigation unless the court determines that the parent, legal custodian or caregiver was fleeing from a situation involving domestic violence

Mental injury means an injury to the intellectual or psychological capacity of a child as evidenced by a discernible and substantial impairment in the ability to function within the normal range of performance and behavior.

Neglect occurs when a child is deprived of, or is allowed to be deprived of, necessary food, clothing, shelter or medical treatment or a child is permitted to live in an environment when such deprivation or environment causes a child’s physical, mental or emotional health to be significantly impaired or to be in danger of being significantly impaired.

Other person responsible for a child’s welfare includes the child’s legal guardian, legal custodian, or foster parent; an employee of a private school, public or private child day care center, residential home, institution, facility, or agency; or any other person legally responsible for the child’s welfare in a residential setting; and also includes an adult sitter or relative entrusted with a child’s care.

Any penetration, however slight, of the vagina or anal opening of one person by the penis of another person, whether or not there is the emission of semen

Any sexual contact between the genitals or anal opening of one person and the mouth or tongue of another person

Any intrusion by one person into the genitals or anal opening of another person, including the use of any object for this purpose, except that this does not include any act intended for a valid medical purpose

The intentional touching of the genitals or intimate parts, including the breasts, genital area, groin, inner thighs and buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of either the child or the perpetrator, except that this does not include any act which may be reasonably construed to be a normal caregiver responsibility, any interaction with, or affection for a child or any act intended for a valid medical purpose

The intentional masturbation of the perpetrator’s genitals in the presence of a child

The intentional exposure of the perpetrator’s genitals in the presence of a child, or any other sexual act intentionally perpetrated in the presence of a child, if such exposure or sexual act is for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification, aggression, degradation or other similar purpose

The sexual exploitation of a child, which includes allowing, encouraging or forcing a child to solicit for or engage in prostitution or engage in a sexual performance

Victim means any child who has sustained or is threatened with physical, mental or emotional injury identified in a report involving child abuse, neglect, abandonment or child-on-child sexual abuse.